Our Story
In 2006, a group of individuals came together to launch the first Hmong Early Childhood Summit and continued to do so annually for the next eight years. The summit was to create awareness and identify key advocates in support of early childhood education and quality care of young Hmong children. It was held to educate and empower the Hmong Community about the importance of school readiness, quality care, early intervention, and advocacy of young Hmong children.
In 2014, its members became Hmong Early Childhood Coalition (HECC) so that they could expand and provide more opportunities for families and the community.
Hmong Early Childhood Coalition (HECC) is a grassroots, community-based organization dedicated to sharing research and evidence-based practices on early learning. HECC partners with families and community agencies in providing education and advocacy to optimize early learning for Hmong children.
Mission
Partner with families and communities to ensure children have access to culturally appropriate early learning services through training, resources and advocacy.
Vision
Families and their children feel accepted, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Our Priorities
Translation and Dissemination of Information
- To translate most up-to-date research findings into lay language and disseminate them in multiple forums, including social media and a bi-annual summit.
- To disseminate and promote evidence-based culturally relevant programs to Hmong parents, agencies, and community.
- To recognize and celebrate family successes in the community.
- To host a bi-annual summit.
Bridging Families to Services
- To document and identify barriers and challenges that prevent families from accessing resources and participating in programs.
- To build trust with agencies serving children and families, community leaders, and families to minimize the service gap.
- To create pathways to connect families to service providers.
Advocacy and Systems Change
- To advocate for policies that recognize and support marginalized and ethnic minority families such as the Hmong.
- To recognize and promote informal and kinship care and education of young children.
- To change parents’ and community’s attitudes and beliefs about the importance of early childhood education.
- To advocate for policies that support all families’ access to quality early childhood education programs.